Handicap Hurdle: Cheltenham Festival Race

CHELTENHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 24: Martin Pipe (L) talks with trainer Evan Williams whilst presenting him with his prize after winning the 'Times Champion Trainer Novices' Steeplechase' on 'Backstage' on day one of the Cheltenham meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse on October 24 2006 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The Handicap Hurdle is the first major handicap race run at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Handicap Hurdle is the newest race in the Cheltenham Festival, excepting the races added to the festival to extend it in 2005. The first Handicap Hurdle was won by Martin Pipe’s Olympian in 1993. The race is a Grade 3 National Hunt handicap hurdle race and is run on the Cheltenham Racecourse Old Course.

The Handicap Hurdle is open to horses aged five and over and is run over 2 miles and 5 furlongs. The race is fast-paced and the quickest winning time was set during the 2000 Cheltenham Festival when What’s Up Boys completed the race in 4 minutes 53.8 seconds.

Handicap Hurdle Winners

As a handicap event that sees form horses carrying heavy weight, the Handicap Hurdle has never been won twice by any competing racehorse. The most notable achievement in the race by a racehorse was achieved by its first winner Olympian. Olympian won the Handicap Hurdle on the back of the Imperial Cup at Sandown Park, earning his owner a £50,000 bonus.

No jockey has managed to dominate the Handicap Hurdle, Cheltenham Festival race, and ride more than one winner. With ace jockey Barry Geraghty winning the race on Sky’s The Limit in 2006, this trend may well be broken in 2009.

The most successful trainer in the history of the Handicap Hurdle is Martin Pipe who has trained three Handicap Hurdle winners, including the races’ first champion, Olympian.

Handicap Hurdle Betting

Handicap Hurdle betting can be a tricky business, as favourites have a poor history of going on to win the race, with only one favourite winning in the race’s history. Outsiders are always in with a chance in a handicap event, as was proved by 2005 Hurdle Handicap winner Idole First who won the race at 33-1 odds.

When betting on the Handicap Hurdle, Cheltenham Festival race, avoid placing money on horses carrying over 10 stone as only two winners in the history of the race have carried more.

For live horse race betting we recommend William Hill, one of the world's leading bookmakers.